In Afghanistan, a Disjointed Government Struggles to Maintain Security

In a surprisingly swift operation, the Taliban seized control over much of the Afghan city of Kunduz on Sept. 27. However, as quickly as the group gained Kunduz, it again lost it to internationally backed Afghan forces. Still, the momentary victory was the highest profile territorial gain for the Taliban since U.S.-backed forces ousted the group from power in 2001. It also highlights the substantial challenges Afghanistan's unity government faces, both politically and in terms of security. Afghan officials have provided conflicting reports on precisely how the Taliban were able to so quickly wrest control of the city from security forces (fighting lasted less than a day), though it is clear that government forces retreated from the fight. It is also evident that the balance of power is shifting in Afghanistan and that the trend is unlikely to reverse without international intervention.